Apparatus for testing draft gears



Oct. 27, v1931. A. E. DENTLER APPARATUS FOR TESTING DRAFT GEARS Filed May 2. 1927 Patented Oct. 27, 1931 UNiTED STATES PATENT OFFICE ARNOLD E. DENTLER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIG-NOR y'J'.O W. H. MINER, INC., 0F

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION F DELAWARE APPARATUS FOR TESTING DRAFT GEAR-S Application led May 2, 1927.

This invention relates to method of, and apparatus for, testing draft gears.

In testing draft gears for railway cars, it

is common practice to use a hammer which is elevated to different heights and dropped upon a draft gear placed upon a suitable anvil so as to be struck by the hammer when it descends. It has been found that a hammer test under such conditions as these, results in inaccuracies due to the fact that in actual practice a coupler or drawbar is interposed between the front follower of the draft gear and the impacting force, the coupler in transmitting the impact having an eli'ect thereon which heretofore has not been taken into account in testing the gears, and hence has caused the occurrence of inaccurate tests. An object of the present invention is to provide a method of obtaining accurate re sults from the hammer tests, wherein a member having the characteristics of the usual coupler or drawbar is interposed between the force of impact delivered by the hammer and the draft gear which is maintained in position, approximating as closely as possible, the

operation of the parts under actual conditions.

Anether object of the invention resides in providing a frame for holding the draft gear and for guiding the coupler in its movements so that the blow of the hammer is transmitted through the coupler to the draft gear.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of this character wherein the guide means for the coupler are detachablyV connected to a main retaining frame, which has means corresponding to draft lugs of a railway car, certain of the lugs being displaceable to permit insertion and withdrawalof the gear from the main frame when the coupler guiding means are detached therefrom.

Other and further objects of the invention will more clearly appear fromthe descripi5 tion and claims hereinafter following.

ln the drawings, forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a fragmentary front elevational view of a. drop hammer such as used in testing railway draft means and y 5c showing my improvements used in connection thousand (9,000) pound hammer 13.

Serial No. 188,075.

therewith. Figure 2 is a vertical, longitudinal section on line :2 2 of Figure 1 with the gear, follower and coupler shank omitted. Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view of the invention corresponding substantially to line 3 3 of Figure 1. Figure a is a top plan View of the testing and guiding structure. And 'Figure 5 is a vertical section on line 5-5 of Figure 2 of the upper portion of the main and guide frames showin@ the detachable locks' for holding the draft gear in position in the frame.

As shown in the drawings, 10 denotes an anvil upon' which is placed the testing-frame illustrated in det-ail in Figures 2 to 5, inclusive, and containing the gear 11 to be tested. On top of the gear 11 is usually placed a follower 12 by which the blow is transmitted from the vertically movable nine The gear 11 is supported on the usual follower 514, if of the type employing a rear follower in service, otherwise it rests directly on anvil blocks hereinafter described. The weight 13 i guided in its vertical movements by suitable heavy side guide members 15-15.

.The weight is lifted by suitable hoisting mechanism and dropped as desired.

The testing apparatus comprises what may be termed a main frame A and a detachable guide frame B. The main frame A. includes a base plate in the form of a relatively heavy substantially rectangular plate 16 having upright channel members 17-17 rigidly secured thereto through the medium of reinforcing angle plates 18-18, the lat-ter being fixedly secured'to the base plate 16 by any suitable means, preferably rivets as shown.

Each of the upright channel members 17- 17 comprises a relatively wide plate like section or web 19 having outwardly projecting flanges 20-20 at the opposite vertical side edges thereof. Anvil blocks 21*21 are provided and are directly supported on the base plate 16 and are secured to the side-members 17--17 by bolts 22-22 which extend through the blocks 21-21, the channel members 17-- 17, and the vertical flanges of the corresponding 'angle members 18-18. The channel vmembers 17-17 are spaced apart a distance corresponding substantially to the standard spacingbetweenthe usual channel-shaped Y center draft sills of a railway car underframe Vand the anvil blocks 21-21 correspond t0 the usual rear stop lugs ofthe'draft sills. The

Y channel members 17-17are rigidly united by pair of screws.

1 being adapted. to overhang the inner side'or so the'rear tie plate-23, and the front tie strap 24. The plate 23 is' rigidly secured to therear set of langes K- 20ct the membersV 17-17 in any suitable manner, preferably/by fa series of rivets as most clearly'shown 1n Figure 2. The tie strap 24 is in the form of an elongated rectangular bar and Vhas its opposite ends secured to the correspondingv vflanges 20-20 atthe forward sides of the members 1?-17.v The 'opposite ends of the tiey strap 24" are preferably secured to the flanges 202O by bolts l25--25- It will*v thus bese'en that the tie plate 24: is detachablel upon 'removal 4of the bolts f to thereby4 permit insertion of a ydraft gear through the front of the testing apparatus.

At the upper endlfeach channel member 17 is provided withy a. hinge bracket plate 26 'suitably secured to the corresponding web section 19 ofthe member '17 by means of a p p To each hinge plateQG is hinged one of the'retaining lugs 27-27 ,each

vlug being provided with a pair of hinge-'eyes QS-ZSadapted to accommodate a hinge bolt 29 which extendsthrough an eye formed in the'h'inge plateQ, the bolts S29-29 Vbeing 'utilizvedin connecting the detachable guidey n fra-me B to thevmain frame A, in a manner `hereinafterdescribed. Each ofthedisplaee- Vable retaining lugs 27 ispreferably in the form of a'hook member asmost'clearly shown in Figure 5, thefhook portion 30 of each lug the corresponding side memberrandlsimu' late the usual corresponding front stopy lug of ythe draft rig-ging. ffln order to loclrthere'- tainingA lugs 27 in operative fixed position,

each memberl is provided Vwith a detachable retaining-bolt Slat the upper end thereof,

theillangesof the member 17 being provided with openings to accommodate the bolts --31-31, andv eachfbolt inturnbeing adapted to engage and bear on the onterside of the rvrcorres'pending retaining lug 27. The webs 19 oi the channelmembers 17e-17 are cut outras indicated at 32to accommodate pro- ]eetions upon certain types ot-drai't gears.

The frame VA is complete in itself forfsup# l rportingthe Vdraft gear for testswithout the coupler.V rlo'insertthe ygear into the frame v A the locking bolts 31 are removed andthe retaining lugs 27-"27 v swung outwardly vto inoperative positionafter which the tie plate 24 islremoved andthe gear entered through the'front of theframe'.- The follower plate on which'5 the gear is supported-rests on the "blocks 2lfr2l,` while the followeryplate 12 is Vplaced on top of the gear.V The retaining 'l ylv-.gs27 Vare thenswunginwardlygtoLoverhanging position withreference toy the iol- Vl'ower plate 12, the tie plate replaced, and

the same is in position', it is adapted for theV reception otra column or bar member corresponding in dimensions to the shank ol the usual standard coupler, which member is' `movably guided into contact with the draft gear-follower when heldby the `main frame. The frame B comprises channel e' members soY 33433 which form the sidewallsthereot, and Y vprovide what are inetfect continuations of the side walls of members 174-17 Aof the main Jiframe A, the walls 'being cut out as indicated 'at '33 to permit the'operation ofthe pivoted retaining lugs 27-27, the lower ends ofthe members 83-83 being adapted to Vrest y'upon thevtop. edges of the members ILT-17 Ywhen the parts are in position.

'The members 233-33 are provided wi h flanges 3l- 34 which are connected together in spaced relations b'y a rear! plate 35, theedgesoly which The' arev secured'te'saidy flanges by rivets. plate 35 extendsv downwardlyv beyondthe lower ends y oil the channel l'members3-3--33 `as indicated at 36 and is adapted to rest'npon the topl edge of the plate 23theedges of the extension 36 being connected to the flanges of the members 17--1Y by removable bolts 37-AS7.' The flanges Slt-340i the members v'33-33jat the forward portion of theV apparatus have securedthereto by means of rivets,

`bars 13T-137, said bars terminating flushl lwith the-upper ends of the 'flanges 3ft-34e,

land extending downwardly Vbelow the lower ends of said members a suitable distance as indicatedat 38, vthe extensions 38 being secured to the flanges of the members117-17 by detachable bolts 39. The bolts 29 and 31 extend through `'the extension 36011 the plate 35,and the extensions 38 onthe bars 137. At

lthe front of the trame atea pointspaced inwardly from the upper end thereof, isa cross bar 380, said bar being secured to the flanges BKl--Bt'ofth'e side members 33-33 bv tir-ready ed members 359-39. vAt the top'of the trame 1B "at the forward side thereof is a cross bar v4;0' having its ends secured to the forward flanges ofthe members E3-'353 by threaded members 141--141 as best shown inFigure 4. The "intermediateportions oi the bars 380 rand 40'- areinwardly offset as best shown in VV igures` 3 and 4, and tothe lower bar '380 at an intermediate point, on' its inner surface.y

is a chan-nel-shapedI guide member fil, and

oppositely disposed to the guide memberV 41 isa channel member 420i" asimilar char- -acterl whichl is Vsecured tothe' plate 35 as best figszegms shown in Figure 3. The upper bar 40 is provided with a channel-shaped member 43 having its iianges inwardly disposed, this member having its flanges spaced apart a greater distance than those of members 41 and 42, the member 43 being secured to the inner surface of the bar 40 by means of rivets. An oppositely disposed guide member 44 similar to the member 43 is secured to the plate 35 by rivets, the members 41-42, 43 and 44, being adapted to provide guide means for a column or bar member 45 corresponding to the usual standard coupler shank, which member is interposed between the drop hammer 13 and the follower 12 of the draft gear. The frame B is readily detachable and attachable by removal or application of the bolts 37-39, 29 and 31.

As above stated, heretofore it has been customary in testing draft gears to drop the hammer 13 directly upon the front follower 12 of the draft gear, but tests of this kind under certain conditions, do not produce entirely accurate results, for the reason that the tests are not made under conditions similar to actual practice. In actual practice a drawbar is interposed between the impacting force from an adjacent car which force is transmitted by the coupler to the draft gear, and due to factors such as the resiliency or compressibility of the coupler and other factors, a test wherein the hammer is dropped directly upon the follower of the gear is rendered inaccurate for said purposes.

rllhis invention therefore contemplates a method consisting in buttressing a draft gear against a stationary member such as anvil 10, holding the draft gear under conditions approximating actual practice, in the manner disclosed by the frame A, directing an impacting force toward the gear through the medium of a weight such as the hammer 13, interposing a column or bar member 45 corresponding in dimensions to and having the physical characteristics of the usual standard coupler shank, between the impacting force represented by the hammer 13, and the draft gear, and guiding the column or bar member in such manner as to effect transmission of the impacting force to the gear under conditions approximating actual practice, thereby subjecting the column to compression forces and giving an indication as to the performance of the draft gear, the frame B being shown in the drawings for accomplishing this purpose.

'While I have herein shown and described what I consider the preferred manner of carrying out the invention, the same is merely illustrative, and I contemplate all changes and modifications which come within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

I claim:

1. In a testing apparatus, the combination with a frame provided with a base and side members adapted toaccommodate a draft gear and spaced abutments carried by each of said side members corresponding to the front and rear stoplugs of ardraft rigging; of a metal column member having the physical characteristics of the usual standard coupler; and means co-operating with said column member for guiding the same into bearing relation with said draft gear to transmit an impacting force thereto.

2.' In a testing apparatus, the combination with a main frame adapted for the reception of a draft gear, said frame being provided with abutment elements corresponding to the usual front and rear sets of stop lugs of a draft rigging, one of said sets of abutment elements being displaceable to permit insertion of a. draft gear in the frame; means for locking the displaceable elements in lined position; and a second frame detachably connected to said first frame and provided with guide means for the slidable reception of a metal column member having the physical characteristics of the usual standard coupler, whereby a blow upon said column member will be transmitted to the draft gear held in said main frame.

3. In a testing frame, the combination with spaced side members; of means rigidly connecting said members, including a detachable strap at one side; abutment elements at opposite ends of each of said members, said abutment elements corresponding to the front and rear stop lugs of a railway draft rigging; a second frame super-positioned with respect to said first frame and rigidly connected with the latter, said second frame being provided with 'means for guiding a metal column member having the physical characteristics of the usual standard coupler into contact with said draft gear while disposed in said first frame.

4. In a testing apparatus of the character described, the combination with a frame adapted for the detachable reception of a draft gear; and a second frame comprising side members, and means for detachably connecting said side members together; extensions on said second frame detachably connected to said first frame; and guide means on said second frame adapted for the slidable reception of a metal column member having the physical characteristics of the usual standard coupler adapted to engage theA draft gear in said first frame. 5.v In a testing apparatus of the character described, the combination with a frame adapted for the detachable reception of a draft gear; and a second frame comprising side members, and means for detachably connecting said side members together; extensions on said second frame detachably connected to said first frame; and guide means on said second frame adapted for the slidable reception of a metal column member having ,'130 nan the Aphysical characteristics :of the i usual standard coupleivadapted'to-'engage the draft gear in' said/.first frame, said guide `means bef Y ing in the form of spaced pairs ofy channel members of vdifferent* sizes, adapted to conllormto the dimensions of said column mem! er.: a Y v ,Y l 6. In a testingiapparatus, the combination f with a .main frame comprisingspaced Side members; means for rigidly connecting said members,` including a detachable str ap ;Y abutment elements at the oppositetends of :each l n of said members, said abutment elements coryresponding tothe frontand rear stoplugs fu of a railway draft rigging, the abutment elements-at one end of'said side elements being displaceable glockingmeans for saiddis- 4, placeable abutment elements; a second fr-amef i detacliably connected to said firstfr'ame, said 20 .second frame comprising side members form- Y ing continuations of the side members of f said first frame and cutout to permit operation of'saiddisplaceable abutment elements; spacedmeans rigidly; connecting the side is', members of said second-frame; and spaced guiding elements adaptedfor the slidableV Y reception of a membercorresponding in dimensionsto the'usual standard couplerto permit Vtransmission ofva blow on` said cou- 3@ pler to said draft gear. Y 7. In a testing apparatus, the combination Witlrav main framecomprising spaced side members; means for rigidly, connecting said members, including ai detachable strap; abutment elements at the opposite ends of each of said/members, said abutment elements cor Y Y responding tol thelfront and .rear stop lugs,y of a railway draft rigging, theabutment elements vat one end of sraid'sidel elementsbeing Y I displaeeable locking fmeans y for r said dis-l i placeable abutment elements ;V a secondfframe deta'c'liably connectedtosaid first frame, said y second frame comprising side membersfiformc Ving continuations ofthe side members of said first fram/sand cutout to permit operation of said displaceable abutmentelements; spaced means rigidly connectingrthe side members of Y Y said second frame;v and spaced guidingele-V .y ments adapted for the slidable reception of a column member correspondingin dimen- A. sions to a standard coupler to permit ltrans-V 1 mission of a blovs on said column member to Y ,said draft gear, .said guide elements being in Y the form of spaced pairs of oppositely dis- --55 posed channel members, 'saidcpairs of chan-V nel members being of sizes-proportionate to the conformationof afstandard coupler., 'In witnesszthat I claim the foregoing I 'have hereunto subscribed my name ythis 27th f day of April v19127. 'Y V Y f ARNOLD-E DENTLER! 

